Challenges in Kursk region now are future challenges for Seoul – military expert Selezniov

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"It’s important not to underestimate North Korean military personnel. They are well-trained, adapt quickly to modern fourth-generation warfare, including the use of drone systems. This presents a serious challenge. Currently, there are about 11,000, possibly 12,000 North Korean troops, some of whom we have been either injured or eliminated. Nevertheless, Kim Jong Un’s regime is prepared to supply additional contingents of these North Korean soldiers, who could, of course, provide support to Russian forces not only in Russia's Kursk region but also on other sections of the front. Therefore, these challenges should not be overlooked," he said.

Vladyslav Selezniov noted that while Russia uses North Korean troops as so-called "cannon fodder," the DPRK fighters are adaptable and learn quickly, "They are quite effective, including in countering our FPV drones, which presents us with a challenge."

He noted that in the context of North Korean troops being involved in combat, he is surprised by South Korea's stance.

"And honestly, I am surprised by the stance of our friends and partners in Seoul in this context. It is evident that the challenges we are currently facing in the Kursk region are the future challenges for Seoul. These are trained and motivated North Korean soldiers who have gained valuable experience in Russian war on Ukrainian territory and could pose a significant threat to the government in Seoul. Yet, our friends and partners in Seoul seem preoccupied with internal political disputes instead of allocating additional resources to strengthen the Ukrainian military. Clearly, the more North Korean forces are eliminated on the battlefields of the Russian war, the fewer threats South Korea will face in the future," the military expert stated. 

• Recently, a Russian FPV drone struck a North Korean short-range air defense system Pongae M-2020, a counterpart to the Tor-M2 system, in the Kursk region.